Advice for Moving Across the Country
Planning a cross-country move takes considerable time and effort, no matter where you’re going or who you’re hiring. However, the experience of packing up your life and beginning something new somewhere else doesn’t always have to be a negative experience. In many ways, it’s an opportunity to get rid of everything you don’t need. A professional scrap and junk removal service can help you dispose of a range of large items and appliances that won’t fit in your standard trash bins, which can assist you in preparing your old space for sale.
Moving your life and your things across the country requires you to do so much more than simply lining up a new job. There are several logistical aspects involved with the process of moving that you’ll need to think about before making your big plans. Moving day doesn’t have to be stressful with the proper planning and professional services. In this article, we’ll offer a few tips for preparing for your move across the country that ensure the entire process runs as smoothly as possible.
Take Stock of Everything You Can Leave Behind
If you’re moving across the country, it’s often more expensive to ship everything instead of simply replacing it. Old furniture and appliances aren’t the kinds of items that you need to hire cross country movers to handle. In many cases, it’s significantly more cost-effective to either sell the items or dispose of them and then purchase a similar item at your final destination. If you’re unsure how to get rid of older, larger items in your house, call a junk removal services company. The experience and professionalism of these service providers can prove to be a substantial benefit throughout the process of moving.
Among the items you’ll likely want to get rid of are outdoor furniture items and general yard waste, including hot tubs or older grills. If you need to get rid of electronic devices, you may need to pay for specialized disposal services. Lithium-ion batteries, which are often found in older computers and cell phones, can prove to be harmful to the environment if you simply throw them out.
Artificial Christmas trees, outdated dishware, and most lighting elements are other examples of items that you might want to dispose of before moving. Old or shabby rugs and carpeting are usually a good idea to dispose of rather than transport- they often weigh significantly more than you think. By simply reducing the amount of stuff you’re bringing across the country, you’ll set yourself up for a more relaxed moving day experience.
Get a Quote From Several Moving Companies
Hiring movers and a truck driver to take everything in your home across the country shouldn’t be something that you’re rushing into. Before selecting your moving company, get in touch or get a quote from a handful of providers. Most moving companies price their services on a per-mile basis, which means the cost can add up quickly if you’re moving more than a few hundred miles away.
A high-quality moving company is an investment in both your property and your time, which means it’s always better to take your time in hiring. In many cases, the moving company you’re considering working with will be happy to price match other movers. Make sure to spend time researching and reading online reviews for each company. Look out for any reviews that mention any damages to their goods in transit. The right company for your move cares about transporting your stuff from one place to another without getting a scratch on it.
Inventory Your Belongings
Once you’ve disposed of all the excessive items in your home and selected a moving company, you’ll need to create an inventory list of everything that’s left in your home. For each item, consider whether you need to take the item with you personally rather than leaving it for the movers. If it’s something that’s expensive but potentially breakable, don’t take any chances. While packing foam and sturdy boxes go a long way in keeping your items safe, they can’t provide any guarantees. For valuable items, you may also want to consider taking pictures of the item if you need proof of damages later in the process.
Drive Your Car, Don’t Ship It
Of all your belongings, your car or truck is likely the most expensive item to ship by weight of all your belongings. If your car has been on the road for more than one hundred thousand miles and you’re moving more than fifteen hundred miles, it’s almost always more cost-efficient to sell the vehicle and purchase a new one at your new home. In some cases, it may cost up to two and a half dollars a mile to have your car shipped. While this per-mile rate might not seem like a problem at first, it’ll add up quickly.
Driving is almost always the best and most reliable option when you’re planning how you’ll get from point A to point B. Make sure you have plenty of supplies and roadside support in case of a flat tire or similar concern. If possible, avoid cramming as much as possible into the car and instead rely on your moving company wherever possible. The more stuff you’re bringing with you when you drive across the country, the more you’ll end up paying in gas.
Make Your Trip Across the Country a Memorable One
When driving across the country, it’s best to take a relaxed approach rather than going from sunrise to sunset. Instead of rushing to get to the end of the road, reserve plenty of time for breaks. Stop at the interesting points on your route, and connect with the culture of specific states or locales that you wouldn’t otherwise experience. The process of getting from your old home to your new destination doesn’t have to be a stressful or sleepless one.
- by Matt Watts
